How much do you put away for Christmas shopping?

[ScrimpAndSave]

I am sending $25 a pay to my credit union for Christmas money...I have 26 pays a year, so I really think it should be enough.

[momof1in150]

It depends on how many people you buy for. We have 2 children and a couple of others that we buy and bake for so we spend around $600 at Christmas.

[PrincessPerky]

We don't, we buy thru the year, and we use our 'extra' (the money that goes to debt each month) rather than save up. that way the extra 11 months of the year goes to debt.

[Thrifty Ray]

I have 4 kids, 3 grandbabies ( will have a 4th by christmas)..spouses of kids, 3 parents, the hub, and a couple of good friends at work. This year, we are sortof "Skipping Christmas" and the whole family is renting a big vacation home the week after Christmas to create a memory rather than buy a bunch of little gifts that will be forgotten. I suggested this idea to the family after my dad passed away this last Christmas (we learned he was dying on the 22nd and he passed away on the 29th). Everyone is truly excited all year and looking forward to it..and there is no pressure to search for gifts. The kids are each chipping in a small amount to help with food...and the hub and I are putting what we would normally spend into the rental.

I usually budget $50 per week and shop sales throughout the year. This is probably extravagant to some, but it is something I love doing and I sacrifice other places to enable me to do it.

[garilon]

Before you put any money away agree a set budget with family and friends - believe me chances are everyone will be happy to spend less than they have to. christmas can be a financially stressful time - spend time thinking about how to give in expensive gifts. It is possible to save money on gifts without it looking like you have.

[zakity]

I put away about $600 total. I used to buy stuff throughout the year, but I am sick of being the one that does everything with xmas. I kept saying that I wasn't doing it next year. This year, I am dead serious. I am giving the boys $100 each (what we spend on them). They are totally fine with it and are planning out how they are going to spend it all.

It breaks down this way:

$300 - the boys

$100 - for family gifts (we draw names)

$100 - for DH and I to buy for each other (usually it is household stuff, like the electric griddle that I got DH last year. It is stuff that we need but giving it as a gift gives it double purpose)

$100 - for stockings (at Grandma's, everyone gets everyone else something small and useful for everyone else's stockings, usually from the dollar store or a small tool or something. Last year, I bought everyone credit card sized pocket scrapers for their cars. A few years ago, I bought all the guys pocket sized LED flashlights. DH uses his constantly still.)

[Ima saver]

I use to budget $30 a week for a total of $1500. But we have cut really back on buying gifts and I just send the girls money! We use that money to help other people to have a little nicer christmas now.

[DRAGONFLY6984]

so far i got $500 saved i was thinking maybe around $1000 thats presents for 10 people 2 of them are my gransons and the xmass dinner that 25 people attend each year that should be enough.

[fruitbowlk]

I save $50 a month in my christmas club which gives me 600.00 for christmas. Each oct or Nov I send out an e-mail and ask my family how we are going to do christmas. Last year we just brought presents for the children which we have three to buy for so I didn't need the whole 600.00.

[jIM_Ohio]

I budget my Roth for $625/month. After 8 months it's maxed out. If we wanted to, we would have $2500 the last 4 months set aside in cash for xmas or something else.

[StanFatherof3]

I save $40 each week. But I call it my "gift" fund rather than a Christmas fund. That way, I also have money to buy birthday gifts or wedding gifts.

[Pitman]

I try to save about $300 - $350 for xmas, last year I only spent $240 give or take.

[noppenbd]

We put away $25 a week for the first 48 weeks of the year. This comes out to about $1200 a year, which is about what we spent last year.

[Aleta]

Put away $105 a month from January to June.

[cicy33]

I have $20 a pay period set aside. 26 pay periods. That will help with xmas but not do it all.